An interview by the Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, the Hon Curtis Pitt MP, on ABC Radio Brisbane today highlights a division in the Palaszczuk Cabinet over the Government's Buy Queensland policy.
Minister Pitt contradicted Premier Palaszczuk, the Minister responsible for the Buy Queensland policy Minister de Brenni, Agriculture Minister Byrne, and even himself.
This uncertainty cannot continue. Premier Palaszczuk needs to immediately clarify her Government's position.
"These policies are not unique to Queensland. We are able to meet our obligations under FTAs. I can't be any clearer than that." |
"In an Australian first, Cabinet has agreed the State Government will no longer be constrained or bound by free trade agreements." |
"There's a suggestion that we are breaching our fair trade agreements and that's not the case." |
"We're breaking the Government's trade agreements – and they aren't happy. But I couldn't give a toss." |
"We are not resiling from the importance of being an export state. It is clear it is critically important, the FTA we are dealing with here." |
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"We are not retreating into protectionism." |
"Ours is a 'subtext p' protectionism, it's a very small area." |